There are a variety of events held in the BVI throughout the year such as full moon parties and 10K Series running races, but the main British Virgin Islands Carnival is the Emancipation Festival which takes place in August; it is also known as the August Festival. Celebrations and activities include fishing tournaments, children’s pageants, regattas and reggae competitions. The festival marks the 1834 emancipation of over 5,000 slaves.

Carnivals in the Caribbean are renowned for their vibrant music and colour. As most, but not all, of the Caribbean major festivals are of a religious nature they take place prior to Lent and finish Ash Wednesday. Costumes made for carnivals are spectacular, taking months of work. Work often begins on the following year’s costumes as soon as the current year’s carnival is over, especially in Trinidad & Tobago – the biggest carnival in the Caribbean.

There are a number of special events, not of a carnival nature, which also take place throughout the year. Below is a list of the major and most popular British Virgin Islands carnival and festivals as well as the major special events.

The British Virgin Islands Carnival & Festivals

• Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival (March/April)
• BVI Emancipation Festival (July/August)
• Anegada Lobster Festival (November)

Special Events in The British Virgin Islands (BVI)

• Quantum IC24 International Regatta (October)
• Annual Pro-Am Regatta (October)
• Necker Cup (November)
• Necker Open – Sir Richard Brranson’s Necker Island (November/December)
• BVI Sunrise Half Marathon (December)
• Boxing Day Horse Race (26 December)